Fellowships

Graduate School Fellowships

A limited number of Graduate School Fellowships are awarded to graduate students on a universitywide basis by competition. They are intended to encourage and assist superior students in pursuing graduate study and in completing the requirements for graduate degrees in the minimum possible time.

The award stipend is generally paid out in two lump sum payments each semester. Graduate School Fellowship awards are for one year and may be renewed upon departmental nomination and Fellowship Committee recommendation. These fellowships also provide for waiver of tuition and curriculum fees, and arrangements for payment of Health Fees (if the Health Fees are covered by another appointment, e.g., Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship, then the Graduate School Fellowship will pay the balance of the Health Fee after Graduate Employee Organization benefits are applied). The Graduate School Fellowship covers Tuition, Curriculum Fee, and Health Fees, but all other mandatory fees are the responsibility of the student.A recipient of a Graduate School Fellowship must enroll as a full-time student.

Prospective students may indicate their desire for a fellowship or an assistantship on the admissions application form supplied in the regular admissions material by the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Interested incoming students should have their completed applications packet on file in the Graduate Admissions Office no later than January 15. Current students should check with their graduate program director for this information. Awards are announced for incoming students by mid-March. Information is available at www.umass.edu/gradschool.

Graduate Student Travel Grants

The Graduate School offers funding to degree-seeking graduate students presenting the results of their research, creative, or scholarly activities at major professional meetings, exhibitions, symposia, or conferences. While the purpose of the funding is to supplement expenses incurred in such activity, students must approach other sources such as their department, program, or adviser before applying to the Graduate School. For further information, contact the Graduate Program Director, or go to www.umass.edu/gradschool/travel/travel_grant.htm.

Federal Fellowships

The university participates in the various federal fellowship programs sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Education. For further information, contact the department or the Graduate Student Grant Service, tel. (413) 545-5279.

Other Fellowships

Direct fellowship awards are available from a number of sponsors. Students may obtain information concerning these fellowships by calling the Graduate Student Grants Service.